[Beowulf] 1 multicore machine cluster

[Nifty Tom Mitchell]

On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 09:46:07PM +0200, Jonathan Aquilina wrote:
> 
>    is it possible to have a single multicored machine as a cluster?

A single machine with multiple cores can act like a small but worthy
cluster.  In fact it can also do fun stuff like OpenMP.

You can run Open MPI now and have a batch system
running in the background.  With quad core it
almost makes sense to have three cores in the 
MPI batch queue leaving one core for 'interactive' use.

Ignoring the batch system a dual core processor makes it
interesting to locally develop and debug MPI codes.   Future quad+
core processors will be even more interesting.  One of 
the difficulties with clustering is the "on ramp" or
learning curve.   A modern dual core laptop is a worthy development
tool for both MPI and OpenMP.

The important point is understanding what
a "cluster solves" for you.   A Beowulf point
might be  "how to muster a pile of inexpensive 
networked boxes to the work load of a group or problem space".



-- 
	T o m  M i t c h e l l 
	Found me a new hat, now what?